The majority of nondrive conveyor pulleys use rotating shafts, and typical idler rolls use nonrotating shafts, even though both products are used to support and guide the conveyor belt and its load. This paper explores and compares the requirements for rotating and nonrotating shaft designs and the impact of these designs on the product. Additionally, this paper describes how the “roller” bearing types (deep groove ball, tapered or spherical) affect these designs.
